I am posting this blog for a pictorial journey of the transformation of a house that is a beautiful "diamond in the rough" as the contractor of the house said. This house on Whitney has sat empty for 10 years and it was purchased by an investment firm that buys old, neglected houses and refurbishes them, then sells them. They have bought not only a neglected house with this one, but a work of art. I feel very lucky to be the one that will be the person that gets to care for this home. I feel like I'm going to get to actually live within a piece of art. I am going to make this record of the journey from disrepair to the return of the grandeur this home once had.
When Craig and I went to see the house the first day in February 2013 we had to look through the dust, workers, holes in the floor, boards to see the gem beneath it all, but we could see it! Every turn and every inch held another incredible detail. The workmanship and detail of every inch of the home is just simply amazing. The fact that it stood empty and was not damaged by vandals or thieves is amazing too. Sadly, a few of the mantels were taken and the grand stained glass swan window was removed by the previous owner, but it is still amazing.
This house was built in 1911 by the Todd family. We have been told a few things, but we still have research to do about the Todd family. The street that runs adjacent to the house is Todd Street so they must have been a significant family during that time. They had their initials put into the tile of the vestibule when the house was built. We still don't know their first names.
The house has 6 bedrooms and 1.5 baths.
The room above shows the original pedestal sink out of the second floor bathroom. This room that its sitting in is being converted into a master bath with a closet for a washer and dryer. This sure beats carrying a basket of clothing up and down the steps, although my fat ass could use the exercise! This is what it looked like today when we went.
The shower bench has been constructed which is left of the window. To the left of that is Craig's special little private pooping area. To the very left of the picture is the closet where the washer and dryer will go. Where the broom is sitting is where a fireplace was and where the double sink and vanity will go. The shower will be enclosed in glass. It's going to be so much better than the little shower stall we use now!
We picked the colors last night and had Jordan and Melissa give their approval to them.
How fun this was. I think the contractor, Jim, like the choices. He said the outside colors are very daring and different but that's what we (I) like so that's what it will be. I gave him the color chips to get the paint this week for the outside. If spring would ever, ever get here, they will paint outside. Jim was putting a coat of primer on the foyer and just that made a world of difference. The woodwork in that area is just truly amazing.
The stained and bevel glass is also a work of art.
The bottom left window is actually a reproduction of the others since it was missing. The woman in Lawrenceville that did this is amazing. You cannot tell the difference from the others.
This is the bevel glass window that was made to replace the stolen swan window
The bevel windows that is missing from inside one of the front doors is currently being recreated.
Once the new bathroom is done, and the inspectors come, things will really start to move fast. Jim says that June 1st is the worst case scenario date. We are getting more excited every time we go! We all think it's really going to be magnificent!!
